Fire extinguisher



Gat. 9, 17934. R. c. IDDINGS ET AL,

FIRE EXTINGUI SHER Filed Feb. 1.6,.1931

2 Sheets-Sheet l dttouuq @cfg 9, m34.

gn/wanton 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 R. c. IDDINGSl Er Al.

FIRE EXTINGUISHER Filed Feb. 16.

i 50 tion of the period of Patented Oct. 9, 1934 FraE EXTINGUISHER Roscoe C. Iddings and Charles R. DOlive, Dayton, Ohio, assignors to The Fyr-Fyter Company, Dayton, Ohio, a corporation lof Ohio Application February 16, v1931, serial No. 516,036

13 Claims.

I is to provide a lire extinguisher ofr this type which is simple and sturdy in construction, is capable of receiving a charge of highly reactive chemicals and provides a controlled rate of mixing of the chemicals upon use, and which is constructed to insure reliability and effectiveness in operation.

Another object of the invention is to 'provide a re extinguisherY in which complete reaction oi the chemicals vis effected upon operation kof the extinguisher.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.

In the drawings in which like characters oi reference designate like parts throughout the several views thereofv Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view of an extinguisher constructed in accordance with this invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentarysectional view taken on the plane of the line 2 2 of Fig. l; Y

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary elevational View of an acid charge enclosing container; and

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view 30 y of a re extinguisher illustrating a modied form of acid charge enclosing container.

y The fire extinguisher herein described, although adapted to operate satisfactorily with a variety of charge materials, is particularly adapted to re- 5 35 ceive ahighly reactive charge comprising a relatively lconcentrated carbonate solution, such :as potassium carbonatacarried withinan outer cas'- ing or tank 10, vand a highly reactive -acid such as chlorosulfonic acid which isrcarried in a suit- 40 able manner within the-extinguisher in an -enclosing 'container 11. Means kare incorporated in the extinguisher to provide, .upon operation thereof, a controlled rate of Idisclrarge for Athe acid so as to regulate the irate lof mixing yof the 45 chemical charge. Provision of the regulating means permits the pressure oi the expelling gas generated by the reaction of chemicals to riseA slowly uponactuation of the extinguisher -andto be properly maintained throughout a Agreaterpor`` discharge, as is yrequired by the Underwriters Laboratories. The casing l0, which as shown is a metallic drum. having a cylindrical side wall and substantially dome-shaped end Walls, is provided with 55 Van,encirclingreinforcing .ring 12upon-Whichare positioned oppositely extending .axles 13 for the attachment of wheels 14. The base portion 16 of the casing 10 has attached to it a-lconcentrically positioned ring .17 of sufiicient depth and diameter to provide a suitable base Yupon which my the machine may rest when not in service. 'Ihe upper-end .of the casing 10 is provided with .a cover member 18 which is preferably -a casting suitably joined to the cylindrical shello'f the casing. Thelend of the casing 10 adjacent the .head portion 18 is provided with a pair of extending handles20 by which the machine maybe grasped when it is desired to move `it from place to place upon the wheels 14. The machine is so balanced upon its axles 13 that when the machine `is tilted '70 from its base 17 onto the wheelsv 14 the tendency will be for the casing to swing Vto an inverted position in which the handles 20 contact with the floor; this position being the normal operating position of the machine. l g5 The'head portion oi vthe member 18 has provided thereon `an upstanding ilange 23 vdefining van opening to the interior of the casing, and exteriorly threaded at 24 to receive ya cap member 25. The cap member 25 is adapted to `provide a 30 secure closure for the opening in the casing .and is provided,Withoppositely extendinghandles 26 by ,which it may be grasped to screw it firmly in place upon'the flange 23. Y

The cap 25 is provided with a centrally posi- ,85

.tioned depending boss 28 Yand an oppositely extendingisleeve portion 29 having aligned bores 30 and 31 which serve asguides for aplunger rod 32 which is kpositioned for reciprocatory Vmovement therein. That portion of the plunger rod 9D 32 extending Within the cap 25 is provided witha Vdisk .like member 34 which serves as a locating means for a Asealing Washer 35 positionedon the plunger 32 between the disk34and the boss28. The sealing washer 35, which maybe of rubber or 95 other .suitable flexible material, is normally held securely in place byfmeans of a spring 37.V The spring'l is carried between a cup-,shapede-xtension 38 on the ,portion 29 of the cap and a sub,- stantially `cup-shaped -plunger actuating .member 40 which is fixedfto the end of the plunger and is of-suiicient size, to overlie the .portion 38 of the cap. The spring 37 urges the plunger ,32. up.- .wardly to squeeze the Vwasher 35 between the disk 34 and thel'boss` 28 tothereby provide .a -sealed '05 joint whichprevents -leakage through the lplunger guideway duringoperation of the extinguisher.. Y

lWithin .theaineckfor ange portion .23 :of -the cover 18 is ixedan annularring 42 which, with thevcap 25, ,provides 4a supporting means vfor a 110 'cylindrical sleeve '72 wing nuts '76 are non-frangible acid charge enclosing container 1l. The container 1l comprises a supporting ring 44 receivable on the annular ring 42 and having integrally connected oppositely positioned depending arms 45 which merge into a cover member 46 of the container 11. The cover portion 46 is provided with oppositely extending lugs 47 having forked openings which are adapted to receive clamping bolts 48 which are pivotally attached at 49 to the body 50 of the container ll; a suitable sealing gasket 52 being provided between the cooperating faces of the portions 46 and 50.

A frangible container such as the bottle 54, which is adapted to carry the acid charge, is positioned within the container 11' and preferably stands upon a suitable cushioning disk 55 within the portion 50. As shown, the acid bottle is of circular cross section and tapers gradually from the diameter of the body portion 56 to the diameter of the neck portion 57 so that no sharp corners or shoulders are formed in which acid is apt to collect and fail to run out when the device is inverted for operation. The neck portion 57 is provided with an opening 58 for passage of the acid charge and is exteriorly threaded as at 59 for the reception of a cap member 60. Mounted over the filling opening on the neck of the bottle is a tin frangible disk 62 of glass or other suitable material. This disk is positioned between suitable sealing washers 63 of asbestos or like material and the assembly of washers and disk are held firmly clamped in place by threading the cap member 60 onto the bottle neck. Positioned over these parts is a metal metering member B5 comprising a depending skirt portion 66 which surrounds the bottle neck and an end portion having a conical depression 6'7 in which is provided an opening 68 of regulated size positioned adjacent the disk 62. The member 65 is preferably fastened to the bottle end by means of a plastic cement indicated at 70 and upon being sealed thereon provides a protection for the bottle closure and a regulated opening through which the bottle contents may pass upon fracture of the disk 62.

The cover portion 46 of the enclosing container is formed to snugly receive the neck of the bottle 54 so as to prevent jarring and undue movement ofthe bottle which might cause it to break during the handling of the device. As shown, a formed on the cover portion 46 extends downwardly and terminates in a disk like member 73 having an opening 74 proportioned to receive the neck portion 57 of the bottle and to hold the bottle properly centered when thecontainer 11 is assembled. Upon inserting the bottle 54 within the container portion 5D, the part 50 is attached to the cover portion 46 and the p drawn tight against the lugs 47 to securely hold the bottle within the container. A cylindrical wall '78 extends upwardly lfrom the 4iiange portion 73 and is positioned concentrically with respect to the portion '72.l The portion 78 isof` sufficient diameter to receive the cap end oi the bottle and is provided at'its top end with an integrally ,formed closure 79 in which is provided an opening 80 rfor passage of the plunger 32. v

When it is vdesired to operate theextinguisher,

vafter having wheeled the extinguisher to the point of use and permitted it to turn to rest upon the handles, the plunger end 40 is struck to vmove the plunger inwardly and thereby fracture the vdisk 62 of the bottle which is maintained by its enclosing container 11 in proper' operating relationship with respect to the plunger. Upon breaking of the disk 62 the acid feeds from the bottle through the opening 68 of the cap 65. To provide for a controlled feed of acid into the space within the outer container 10, a plurality or ports 82 of regulated size is formed at the upper end of the acid bottle container '78 and with the opening 80 regulate the flow of acid from the enclosing container 1l into the casing. These ports are of such size as to provide a gradual feed of acid and result in a predetermined rate of initial pressure rise, and maintenance of the pressure over a considerable period of discharge. The resulting pressure oi gas produced by the chemical reaction forces the liquid fire extinguishing medium conned within the casing l0 out through an opening 84 provided in the cover 18 and connecting through the hose 85 to a suitable discharge nozzle.

When the extinguisher is operated and the acid escapes from the bottle 54 through the openings in the container 11 into the casing l0 a considerable pressure is generated within the casing 10 which may tend to prevent the proper feeding of acid through the openings. A port 88 may be provided in the Wall of the portion 78 of the container to permit a controlled flow of the carbonate solution through this opening to react with the acid within the container, suiiicient gas pressure being thus generated within the metal container 1l enclosing the acid bottle to insure feeding of the acid through the openings 82.

When a highly reactive acid, such as chlorosulionic acid, is used it is desirable to insure complete reaction of the acid during operation of the device so that when the extinguisher is opened for relling after use there will be no unused acid remaining in the extinguisher. Chlorosulfonic acid reacts energetically with water, and consequently means may be incorporated in the extinguisher to insure complete reaction of the acid so that after use the extinguisher may be washed out with water without encountering the possibility of contact with unused acid. As shown, the cover member 18 and its associated parts are so shaped that a portion of the carbonate solution will be trapped within the cover in such a manner that it will not be expelled through the discharge outlet 84. When the extinguisher is returned to upright position the collected carsult that the carbonate solution will rapidly react with any acid remaining within the container 11. By the time the operator has removed the cap 25 this reaction is complete and water may be poured into the casing to thoroughly cleanse the interior of the casing and container without reaction such as to cause spattering or the like. The inner container 11 may then be removed from the casing and the used acid bottle 54 may be readily removed therefrom by merely loosening the nuts 76 and separating the parts of the container. When it is desired to rell the extinguisher for use the carbonate solution may be poured into the casing 10; the proper level be ing'indicated by a suitable nger 94 iixed to the inner wall of the casing 10. A full acid bottle fmayibe :then-positioned Within the Acontainer 'body .50 which is .then assembled tothe .cover v46 to 'hold the Lbottle securely in position. The container 11 may be then placed :Within the casing 10 where Vit .is heldsuspended by its supporting ringeiv-fromthe member42 asmentioned. vUpon attaching fthe cap 25 to the extinguisher cover 1f8and drawing it tight against a suitable vsealinggasketthe extinguisher isfagainmade ready for use.

In Fig. L1an acid charge container 99 is shown comprising 4a body -portion 1'00 YWhich is adapted Fto --thread'edly engage a lcover -portion 101;V the cover portion being Vprovided with integrally formed webs 1'02 connecting Yto a `flange portion ll-03. The iiange vportion 103 iis adapted to be received YWithin nthe neck '23 of the extinguisher cover and vto Ibe Asupported therein upona ring 42. 'A cap 25, 'in which is provided an actuating plunger 32, is adapted to bethreadedly received `-upon1the neck 23 and, ,With the'aid of a sealing gasket 95, provides a tightclosure for the opening in the neck and :a suitable locating means for the acid bottle container. The body portion ofthe container isprovided, adjacentthe point of threaded engagement with vthe Vportion 101, ywith a flange 105 presentinga Ylla't circular face. The ,portion 10,1 is provided with a similarly posi- ,tioned ange 1.06 having va face which is `adapted .tocooperate with the .face of the flange 105 to positiona `disk like locating member 10'7 having suittble vent openings 108 and anopening 109 for passageof the `neck portion .of the bottle. The enclosing portion 4101 is provided with an opening 110 of'regulated size through which the .plung- .er.32.is adaptedto project.

When .the extinguisher-is put intooperation by striking the plunger yto fracture the frangible Ymember carried in the .bottle neck, a regulated rate of discharge .for the acid contents of the container is provided through the opening 110. .Anauxiliary opening 112 may be provided in the cover portion 101 to'provide balancing of pres- .sures on Athe Finside and outside of the acid bottle container lupon operation vof `the extinguisher.

fWhen it is-desiredto replace rthe acid bottle 4portion of the container99 it is only necessary vto unscrew the'body vportion 110 from the cover por- Ltion, whereupon the used .bottle .may bezremoved anda freshacidbottle inserted. Upon rejoining the partsof the container 99 lprotection for the Abottle 54 against jarring is afforded by the pro- 'visi'onof a cushioning member 55 Within the bottom-of the portion 100 and by the vmember 107 Aheld between the two portions of the container.

The member 107 also serves-to maintain the botltle vin proper operating alignment vvvith respect to the plunger 32.

The assembly lcomprising the `rangible acid chargecontainer enclosed twithin the non-frangivble metal container lprovides a unitary structure which serveslad'equatelyfas a carrier for the high- 'result ofhnusually rough handling. Even though the extinguisher is in a -position which permits 'theacid to react with thecarbonate charge this .reaction is so controlledby provision of an outlet of `regulated size in the enclosing `container that Ythe mixing of the chemicals canonly occur at 'mentedby .additional passages lto secure the desiredtotal ylovv area.

While the forms of lapparatus A`herein described constitute preferred embodimentsvof the invention, itis to be understood that the "invention is not limited to thisprecise form of apparatus,

and that changes may be made therein Without vdeparting-from'tl'ie `scope of the invention which is defined in the'appended claims.

YWhat Vis claimed is:

l, In a re extinguisher of the character described, a casing, an operating plunger in said cas-ing, apfrangible iiuid container, a non-frangible containerfor supporting said uid container and completely enveloping lthe same, said -enclosing container having a restricted fluid discharge opening through which the breaking plunger isadapted to-extend into the interior of said non-frangible container to break the frangible fluid container and to provide a controlled vrateof discharge of the uidfcontentsther-efrom, and means for supportingsaid iion-tfrangible container Within the casing ina position to provide lfor Vfracture of the vfluid container upon actuation 'of kthe plunger into contact with the frangible container Within said enclosing container.

v2..'In a Iire extinguisher of the character described, an outer casing, a detachable cover for said outer casing, a breaking plunger slidably mounted'in said cover, a frangible acid container, a non-'frangible metallic container completely enveloping said acid container and closely coniining said acid `container against movement therein, said containers lcomprising an assembly receivable Within said casing as a unit, means for removably supporting said assembly between said `casing and said detachable cover, said assemblyfbeing adapted to be positioned in operat- -in'g alignment with said plunger, said metallic container having a restricted opening therein through which the plunger is .adapted to-extend to fracture the acid container and to provide a controlledY rate of discharge for the fluid contents of the frangible container into the space Within said outer casing.

3. In an Ainvertible re extinguisher of the chemical reaction type, a -casingadapted Ito relceive-ali'o'uid therein, acontainer positioned Within lsaid casing and adapted to receive an acid which upon inversion and actuation of the extinguisher reacts with the liquid to generate an Aexpelling gas, means for trapping a portion of Ttheliduid Within vthecasing upon inversion and actuation of the extinguisher, said means being so positioned and arranged that upon returning theextinguisher to :upright position the trapped Eliquidfis directedinto the said container to effect reactionwith and neutralization of any remaining-acid therein.

4. In an invertible iire extinguisher of the 'chemical-reaction type, acasing adapted to re- Vil() ceive a liquid therein, a container positioned within said casing and adapted to receive an acid which upon inversion and actuation of the extinguisher reacts with the liquid to generate an expelling gas, means for trapping a portion of the liquid within the casing upon inversion and actuation of the extinguisher, said container having a collecting pocket so positioned and arranged that upon returning the extinguisher to upright position the trapped liquid is directed into said collecting pocket, said container also having a port communicating with said collecting pocket for introducing trapped liquid into the interior of the container to elect reaction with and neutralization of any remaining acid therein.

5. In an invertible fire extinguisher of the chemical reaction type, a casing adapted to receive a liquid therein, a container positioned Within said casing, an acid bottle substantially enclosed within said container adapted to receive acid which upon inverting and actuating the extinguisher reacts with the liquid to generate an expelling gas, said container comprising a non-frangible enclosing structure having a pocket provided therein and a port providing communication between the pocket and the interior of said container, means for trapping a portion of the liquid within the casing upon inversion and actuation of the extinguisher, said means being so positioned and arranged that upon returning the extinguisher to upright position the trapped liquid is directed over the container so that trapped liquid is caught in the said pocket and directed to the interior of the container to effect reaction with and neutralization of any remaining acid therein.

6. In an invertible fire extinguisher of the chemical reaction type, a casing adapted to receive a liquid therein, a container detachably positioned Within said casing, said container comprising a shell portion, and a cap portion having an annular pocket formed therein, a sealed frangible acid bottle within said container, means for breaking said frangible acid bottle, said container having a discharge port, whereby upon inverting and actuating the extinguisher discharge of the acid into the said casing is provided with resultant reaction with the liquid therein to generate an expelling gas, means for trapping a portion of the liquid Within the casing upon actuation of the extinguisher, said means being so positioned and arranged that upon returning the extinguisher to upright position the trapped liquid is directed over the container so that trapped liquid is caught in the said annular pocket, said container having a second port providing communication between said pocket and the interior of the container so that trapped liquid is directed into the interior of the container to eiect reaction with and neutralization of any remaining acid therein.

'7. In a fire extinguisher of the character described having a breaking projection, an acid container having a frangible portion adapted to be fractured for discharge of the contents thereof, and a non-frangible container completely enveloping said acid container, said non-frangible container having a restricted discharge port aligned with the frangible portion of the acid container through which the breaking projection is adapted to extend within said non-frangible container to break the frangible portion of the acid container and then control the discharge from said non-frangible container.

8. In a re extinguisher of the character described, an acid container having a frangible portion adapted to be fractured for discharge of the contents thereof, means attached to said container adjacent the frangible portion to provide a discharge port of regulated size, a non-frangible enclosing container for said acid container, said enclosing container having a discharge port aligned with the discharge port of the acid container, and a plunger adapted to pass through the aligned discharge ports for fracture of the acid container.

9. In a re extinguisher of the character described, an acid container having a frangible portion adapted to be fractured'for discharge of the contents thereof, means attached to said container adjacent the frangible portion to provide a discharge port of regulated size, a non-frangible enclosing container for said acid container, said enclosing container having a discharge port aligned with the discharge port of the acid container, and an axially movable plunger normally extending through the discharge port of the enclosing container and adapted upon movement to fracture the acid container. j

10. In a iire extinguisher of the character described having a filling opening, a cover therefor, and a breaking projection; a frangible inner container, a non-frangible container for supporting saidv inner container within the extinguisher, a cover fastened to said non-frangible container, said non-frangible container .and cover completely enveloping said inner container and forming an assembly adapted to be mounted within said extinguisher as a unit, said cover having an opening through which the breaking projection extends in the normal positioning of said parts within the extinguisher, said breaking projection being arranged to contact a port of the frangible container which port is within said non-frangible container to permit release of the contents of said frangible container.

11. In a fire extinguisher of the character described having a breaking projection, a frangible inner container, a non-frangible container for supporting said inner container Within the extinguisher, a cover fastened to said non-frangible container, said non-frangible container and cover completely enveloping said inner container and forming an assembly adapted to Abe mounted Within said extinguisher as a unit, said cover having a metering orifice of predetermined size adapted for the reception of the breaking projection therethrough to break said frangible inner container within said non-frangible container, themetering orifice then controlling the discharge from Within the non-frangible container to the exterior thereof.

12. An inner charge assembly for a fire extinguisher having a breaking projection and vadapted to be inserted therein as a unit, comprising a frangible inner container, a non-frangible container receiving said frangible container therein, a cover rigidly fastened to said non-frangible container, said cover and non-frangible container completely enveloping said frangible inner container, said cover having a portion depending Within said non-frangible container and carrying an inwardly extending flange arranged to engage the side of said frangible inner container to limit the movement of said inner container within said non-frangible container, said cover having an opening for the 'reception of saidbreaking projection therethrough to break said frangible inner container.

13. An inner charge assembly'for a refexcontainer, an upstanding central tubular portion surrounding the upper end of said inner container and having a discharge opening therein, and a depending channel portion connecting the tubular portion With the annular flange, said channel portion having an additional opening therein.

ROSCOE C. IDDINGS. CHARLES R. DOLIVE. 

